One day while discussing the matter with Daikomitsu she said to him:

“They are disappointing and, I believe, a burden to the real woman. No, Daikomitsu, you could not have me, were I free and you made of gold. I prefer another kind of happiness.”

“You do not mean what you say, Takara. You are chafing a bit under the weight of your misfortunes. You have my sympathy and my love too, if you will.”

“I have a husband.”

“And of what sort? I vow not of your own choice.”

“A woman has no choice.”

“Nor should she; nor would she, had I the say.”

“Thanks. I understand there are some would-be friends who are interested in all that goes with feudalism except the inheritance. You might have that, were you as clever as they.”

“I belong to the literati.”

“Oh, you do? It is strange; I had heard nothing of that since you were here last. I trust it will not get noised around too much—Ikamon might hear it.”